The Glow Wheel

Ava stopped her scooter outside a shop. A new wheel glowed blue in the window.

Her own wheel squeaked. The new one cost eight coins. Ava had exactly eight on her money-band.

Round and round it goes.

Ava pictured herself racing with that little circle of light. Her ears felt hot. She wanted it now.

Louis pointed to her old wheel. ‘That one still goes round.’

‘It SQUEAKS,’ said Ava.

‘It squeaks and goes round.’

Round and round it goes.

Mum asked what Ava had planned to do with her coins. Ava paused. She had almost forgotten there was another plan.

The race was on Saturday. Both wheels could carry her scooter. Only one glowed.

Ava stood beside the window with eight coins and a choice still to make. The wheel kept turning.